Triathlon - Questions about purchasing first tri-bike

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newbiecrystal
10-18-07, 09:12 AM
So with my first marathon down in January, I have decided to join a running buddy and do my first tri (I'll be doing sprint distance at teh same race he's doing half iron-man distance).

Its months away, but I am beginning to seriuosly consider bikes so I can start training right after the marathon is done.

I live in Houston and know there are quite a few bike stores, but everywhere seems to have prices starting at over $1000. My problem: I am a poor poor law student. =)

SO, if anyone could give me some advice, suggestions, etc on either starting from scratch and piecing a biek together myself, or getting a package, which I could find affordably, taht would be super!

Keep in mind, I know nothing. NOTHING. Of course I plan on learning, but right now, between work and school and teams and journals, yadda yadda, there is no time for studying how a bike works. :)

ALL info is welcome and appreciate. ANd if anyone out there is from Houston and has a small training group that lives in the city.....I'm down to know more about that too!


tourist
10-18-07, 09:51 AM
If you don't have a road bike I would start there and get aero clip on bars. You can go to one of the afore ention Houston bike shops (Webster Cycles is my favorite) and either look for a used roadie or check ebay and craigslist for a used bike. There are great deals to be had on models only a few yeas old. Once your law practice is thriving you get whatever you want!!!

celerystalksme
10-18-07, 10:19 AM
for less than $1000, your best bet is to get an affordable road bike...maybe a used bike...and just clip on aero bars for the triathlon.


newbiecrystal
10-18-07, 11:51 AM
Its hard to find anything on craigslist in my size. I'm 5'1". =) It doesn't seem like many places carry small enough frames for me.

tourist
10-18-07, 11:53 AM
Its hard to find anything on craigslist in my size. I'm 5'1". =) It doesn't seem like many places carry small enough frames for me.

ebay usually has bikes small enough for you. If not always, regularly.

pesra
10-19-07, 10:50 AM
my girlfriend's your size. she gave up on finding a used bike that would fit her and bought the cheapest bike available at bikesdirect.com. it was sloppily put together, but by far the best hardware available for the money. I think "chicabikes" and somebody else also sell bikesdirect bikes on ebay (they're related to BD somehow?), with sometimes cheaper prices.

For your second tri you might consider getting a seatpost that moves the seat forward (profile design is the most popular), emulating a tri bike's geometry. slowtwitch.com has a good bike fit section for DIY.